Dry eyes syndrome is one of the most common problems, affecting nearly 33 million people of all ages. The condition is mainly caused due to lack of lubrication between the eyes and the eyelids triggered by an illness, unfavorable environment, or an unhealthy lifestyle. However, the condition can be managed to a great extent with the right treatments and home remedies. Read on to know more about dry eyes syndrome.

Symptoms

Symptoms of dry eyes include the following.

• Burning, stinging, or gritty sensation in the eyes due to lack of lubrication
• Experiencing blurry vision while doing normal everyday tasks like reading
• Increased irritation in the eyes on extremely windy days or due to pollution
• Trouble wearing or experiencing pain while removing contact lenses
• Watery eyes due to excess tears discharged by the tear ducts
• Mucus accumulation at the edge of the eyelids

Treatments
Commonly, dry eyes can be treated by adding over-the-counter or prescription-based artificial tears (generic eye drops) at a pharmacy. An alternative option is to temporarily block the tear ducts with the help of silicone or gel plugs to control excess flow. Surgery can also be done to permanently close the tear ducts but is recommended only for severe cases of dry eyes.

Apart from these common treatment options, here are a few alternatives for managing the condition.

• Hormonal therapy
  Hormonal imbalance can affect the meibomian and lacrimal glands that produce tears. Hormone therapy can help manage estrogen, androgen, and progesterone imbalance during perimenopause and menopause.
• Biologic therapeutics
  A serum is created using the patient’s blood in biological therapeutics to produce artificial tears. This is kept diluted in a saline solution. These drops can be used to supplement daily lubrication requirements.

Natural remedies and lifestyle changes
Treatments aside, changing your day-to-day routine can also help prevent and manage dry eye syndrome.

• Wear sunglasses
  Buy wrap-around sunglasses that protect the eyes on extremely sunny or windy days. This will prevent the tears from evaporating in harsh weather conditions. Protecting the eyes from harsh environments also helps prevent any irritation caused due to lack of lubrication.
• Warm compress
  Using a warm compress on the eyelids can help promote natural oil production by the tear ducts and soothes any irritation.
• Cleaning your eyelids
  Using a gentle soap cleanser to rinse at the base of your eyelids and washing them thoroughly will help remove any dirt, debris, and irritants.
• Take frequent breaks
  If you spend a lot of time working on the computer, ensure you take breaks to rest your eyes and prevent exertion that can worsen the symptoms.

Doctors also suggest blinking at frequent intervals can help spread natural lubricants across the eyelids and prevent any surface irritation. Staying hydrated throughout the day also helps the tear ducts to naturally produce more lubrication. You must also limit the consumption of alcohol and avoid smoking as both activities can severely affect the quality of tears.

Diet for managing dry eyes

• Include avocados, bananas, raisins, dates, figs, pecans, and almonds to boost potassium intake in your daily diet. You must also eat whole-grain foods, legumes, mushrooms, and fish to supplement zinc levels in the daily diet. Both minerals are essential in promoting great health for dry eyes.
• Consume kale, spinach, and chard, and other dark leafy greens on a regular basis. You must also include acai berries, goji berries, and cherries, among common fruits and veggies rich in antioxidants. These substitutes will help reverse the oxidative damage that triggers dry eyes.
• Include more sources of omega-3 fatty acids to efficiently help meibomian glands secrete oil for lubrication and promote better quality production of tears.